Bible Minute

[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 25, 2008
Topic: Holiness


God's Holiness and Yours

One of the most important facts the Bible reveals about God is that He is holy. When the Bible tells us that God is holy, it is speaking of His character. Our English word holy is related to the idea of being "whole" or "complete." When that is applied to God, it means He lacks nothing. He is all that He says He is. He is sincere and completely dependable.

Let's see how God's holiness affects you and me.

What Does God Say?

There are two primary aspects of God's holiness you should know about. Let's see what He says in His Word.

The first thing God wants you to know about His holiness is that He is unique, supreme, awesome and completely separate from His creation. Human beings can never be like God in this way.

Exodus 15:11 (ESV)
"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?"

The second fact you need to realize is that God is absolutely spotless in His character. This is something the Lord seeks to build into the lives of His followers so that they may become more and more like Him. Job 34:10 (ESV) speaks of His moral purity:

"Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:
far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
and from the Almighty that he should do wrong."

Look up the verses below in your Bible and answer the questions:

    * What does Exodus 3:5 tell you about the proper attitude in approaching a holy God?
    * In 1 Samuel 2:2 how does Hannah express God's holiness?

My Thoughts

The wonder of God's message to you in the Bible is that, though He is set apart from His creation, He is at the same time personally nearer to you than anyone else can be.

Look at what God says in Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

How is it possible that God, who is set apart from all others, will stoop to dwell personally with the lowly?

*A. W. Tozer, in his book The Knowledge of the Holy says: "God is holy with an absolute holiness that knows no degrees, and this he cannot impart to his creatures. But there is a relative and contingent holiness which he shares with angels and seraphim in heaven and with redeemed men on earth as their preparation for heaven. This holiness God can and does impart to his children. He shares it with them by imputation and by impartation, and because he has made it available to them through the blood of the Lamb, he requires it of them."

God sets apart or sanctifies you when you believe in Christ, and He begins a work in you that continues through your life. Ultimately, in eternity, the believer is set apart--made holy--forever to dwell with God. It is in Christ that you are enabled to stand in the presence of God, and it is because of His sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit that you are set apart for God's purposes. 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV) says, "Because of him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

    * In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, what does Paul pray God will do for your spirit and soul and body?
    * What motivation for personal holiness do you see in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:14-16?
    * From Psalm 30:4 and Psalm 99:9, what are some personal ways that you can express your appreciation for God's holiness?

My Part

God expects believers to desire holiness and seek to be like Him. Here is the apostle Paul's instruction to us in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Ask God to reveal to you any areas in your life that don't measure up to His standards for you. Make a commitment to Christ to let Him work out the changes He wants in your life.

*Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 113, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, N.Y.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 26, 2008
Topic: God


True Success

Some people define success by their salary: if there are six figures in that paycheck, that's success. Some define success by the people they know, and others by the things they own. But God defines success differently and the Bible shows us the path to true success.

What Does the Bible Say?

Proverbs 3:4 certainly sounds like the right place to start.

"So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man" ( ESV).

The verses leading up to, and following this one, fill us in. Here are the highlights:

"My son, do not forget my teaching….
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you….
Trust in the LORD with all your heart….
In all your ways acknowledge him….
Be not wise in your own eyes" (Proverbs 3:1,3,5-7, ESV).

If this runs counter to what you've read in the self-help section of your local bookstore, there's a good reason: God's goal for your life is different than the goals society tells us to aspire to. In Leviticus, God tells us what His goal is for our lives: "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (19:2, ESV).

We live in a world that's largely forgotten about God. That's why it's so important that those of us who do know Him live a holy--a separate, unique, distinct--life. This is the life God will bless, and the only life that can truly be called successful.

My Thoughts

As you read Proverbs 3:1-7, think about the following questions:

    * What is key to finding success with God (compare Joshua 1:8 )?
    * You may be familiar with verses 5 and 6. What do the ideas in verses 1-4 and 7 add to them?
    * What does it mean to "bind them around your neck," and "write them on the tablet of your heart" (v. 3)?

My Part

Take some time today to think about the ways God's plan for success differs from your own. (When you begin thinking about success from God's perspective, you may have a lot to "unlearn.") Ask God to help you see how His way is better. Look for opportunities to put God's plan into practice.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 27, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Pure Holiness

In the 1850s, cleanliness in the United States, north and south, rural and urban stood at Third World levels. Sanitation was not unknown, but the great majority felt no urgency to clean up. After all, dirt brought food, crops, survival. Dirt was good.

But when it was discovered that dirt--and specifically the lack of proper sanitation that often came along with it--also brought germs, disease, suffering and death, America came clean on a scale unequaled in world history.

What dirt does to the body, sin does to the soul. When we are saved, it is not so we can continue to suffer the disease that infected us before we knew Christ. Instead Christ purifies us and puts within us a hope that motivates us to continue to be pure. Let's see what the Bible says about this.

What Does God Say?

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)

    * As redeemed people, how should we live?
    * What future event will motivate us toward holy living?
    * What two things did Jesus do for us?

My Thoughts

God's grace doesn't stop with just redemption; it goes on to purify our lives so that we might be His special people, not only in heaven but also right here on earth. By grace we are saved (See Ephesians 2:8-9) and by grace we are set apart (the literal meaning of "holy") to live pure and holy lives full of good deeds (Titus 2:14).

My Part

Is there some impurity in your life that is hindering your walk with the Lord? Confess it today and receive God's cleansing by grace (1 John 1:9).

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jun 30, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Obedience/Discipleship


Abiding in the Vine

I have a dwarf apple tree in my garden. It will only grow about half the size of a normal apple tree which is just right for my small garden. But the more appropriate size comes at a price. The root system of this small fruit tree is very weak. Left attached to its original roots, the tree would soon die. To compensate, the grower grafts the tree onto the root system of a normal apple tree. The dwarf tree will produce abundant fruit but only because it has access to the nutrients provided by a root system other than its own.

The same is true of our spiritual life. While the Jesus compares our relationship to Him to a vine rather than a tree, the principle is the same. Let's see how it works.

What Does God Say?

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:1-8, NKJV).

    * What is the requirement for bearing fruit?
    * What can we do apart from Christ?
    * What happens to the "branch" that doesn't abide in Christ?
    * What is the purpose of fruit bearing?

My Thoughts

Keep in mind that these verses are talking about "fruitfulness" and not "salvation." Jesus is not saying that our salvation rests on fruitfulness (v. 6) but that our rewards do. Some believers will come before Christ's Judgment Seat like they had escaped from a house fire with nothing but the clothes on their back (1 Corinthians 3:13; Jude 1:23). To prevent that, we need to make sure that the fruit in our lives is the result of abiding in Christ. As we draw our strength and wisdom from Him rather than ourselves (the flesh), the fruit we bear will bring glory to the Father and eternal rewards for us.

My Part

The apostle Paul urges us to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:7). As you abide in the written Word, you will become rooted in the Living Word and bear much fruit to the glory of the Father. Get into the Word by looking at one of our Bible reading guides at www.backtothebible.org and begin to daily spend time in the Word.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 1, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


A Virtue to be Desired

Ferdinand "Fred" DeMara, also known as "The Great Impostor," was infamous for pretending to be something other than he really was. After graduating from high school, DeMara passed himself off at one time or another as a military man, a civil engineer, a doctor of applied psychology, an attorney, a child-care expert, a Catholic monk, an evangelical Bible college professor, an editor, a cancer researcher and an expert in numerous other jobs. He was finally exposed during the Korean War, while doing surgery on wounded soldiers as a Canadian naval doctor whose identity he had stolen.

Fred DeMara grossly lacked the virtue of integrity. But he is not alone in this world!

Integrity includes the quality of being whole. A bridge without integrity may collapse; a database that contains corrupted information is said to lack integrity. You have integrity when you are who and what you say you are. It means you are "transparent," readily understood, honest and free from pretense or deceit. But let's see what God says about integrity.

What Does God Say?

God looks with great favor on the person of integrity. He gives you an example in the patriarch Job.

Job 1:1(ESV) says: "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil."

The word "blameless" in the Old Testament speaks of integrity. Job was not sinless, but he was genuine and without hypocrisy. He was morally upright and open with God and man. Look at the following Scripture passages and write down what you see about Job that demonstrates his integrity:

    * What does Job 1:3 show about his reputation in his home territory?
    * Job 1:5. What was Job's attitude toward his children?
    * Job 1:8. What was God's appraisal of Job's character?
    * What three men does Ezekiel compare for their sterling integrity (Ezekiel 14:14, 20)?
    * What does the apostle James say about Job in James 5:11?

My Thoughts

Job is a model of blamelessness, but what about the importance of integrity in your own personal life? What are some things the Bible says to believers?

    * How does God view the person of integrity or blamelessness (Proverbs 11:20)?
    * What does Ephesians 1:4 teach you about God's ultimate purpose for His people?
    * According to Philippians 1:9-11, how should you be living now in order to be blameless and pure at the return of Christ?
    * How is your testimony for Christ affected by your integrity or lack of it (Philippians 2:14-16)?

My Part

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays, "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Take an integrity inventory. Is every area of your life what you say it is? Your spiritual life? Your thought life? Your use of your body? If there are places that need more transparency and more purity, tell God about it and ask Him to give you the grace to change.

Then memorize this short prayer from the Psalms:

"May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you" (Psalm 25:21, ESV).

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 2, 2008
Topic: Holiness


Man of Integrity

I've always been interested in the cosmos. I like to watch shuttle launches and moon landings on TV. And I'm fascinated by fiction programs depicting starships zooming between galaxies. One thing I've learned from those shows is how important a spaceship (of any kind) is. The outer hull of a ship is a thin line between life and death, and when it's compromised, bad things happen.

The engineers, on these outer space programs, talk about the integrity of the hull. If the integrity is good, the ship is good. Now, the Bible doesn't have anything to say about starships and space travel, but it does have a lot to say about integrity. And as we take a look at the life of Job, I think you'll see that integrity is vitally important for your life as well.

What Does God Say?

In my dictionary, the word integrity is defined as "incorruptibility." That's the exact description we get of Job in the Bible. "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1, ESV).

If we knew nothing else about Job, this would be an impressive description indeed. (But, in fact, it's all the more impressive because we do know more about Job!) As you look at this description of Job, notice where his integrity comes from--he was "one who feared God and turned away from evil."

Fearing God is not what it sounds like at first. It is not abject terror of the Almighty. No, fearing God is the quality of revering Him in such a way that your devotion to Him is evident in your life. It's loving God and respecting Him. It's drawing near to him and turning away from the evil that surrounds you.

Understanding this quality of integrity is vitally important because if we aren't near to God, we’ll miss His will for our lives. If we don't draw near to Him and follow His standards, we're nothing more than derelict vessels drifting through life without a purpose.

We'll look more at this in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read Job 1:1-22, think about the following questions:

1. Why is this description of Job so important in light of what is about to happen to him?

2. What does Satan say is the basis for Job’s integrity?

3. What do these verses tell us about Satan’s limitations?

My Part

Consider today where your integrity may be weak. Ask God to help you strengthen it so that no matter what comes, you'll be able to stand.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 3, 2008
Topic: Obedience/Discipleship, Bible Characters


Integrity, by David

Integrity is not about being perfect or sinless. It's about being transparent before God, honest, faithful and committed. It means doing what you say you'll do. It means doing the right thing. Let's see how that worked for one man.

What Does God Say?

Integrity is really a heart issue. It’s being upright and transparent before God, having the right character and motivation deep inside. Here's what the Bible says about King David:

"He [God] chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand" (Psalm 78:70-72, ESV).

Now, David was not perfect or sinless; just read 2 Samuel 11 to see his adultery with Bathsheba and the lengths to which he went to cover it up. But throughout his life, David was a man who walked before God in integrity.

Those who knew David, knew exactly what to expect from him. He didn't compromise his honor or God's plan to save his own life (1 Samuel 24:1-7; 26:6-20). He kept his promises to his friends (1 Samuel 20; 2 Samuel 9). He held back revenge even though he had many opportunities (1 Samuel 25). He forgave and even mourned his enemies (2 Samuel 1, 3, 15, 18 ). And with loyalty and faithfulness, David served Saul, the king he was chosen to replace (1 Samuel 16-18 ).

All these things are aspects of integrity in action. And in 1 Kings 9:4-5, God tells Solomon, the new king, to follow David's example, "And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father" (ESV, italics added).

My Thoughts

You don't have to be sinless to have integrity. But when you do sin, integrity determines how you deal with it. Go back to David's example after his adultery with Bathsheba. Read the whole story in 2 Samuel 11-12.

How do you see the following marks of integrity at work?

    * Honesty before God about sin instead of trying to hide it.
    * A willingness to accept the consequences of sin.
    * A renewed commitment and faithfulness to God.

My Part

Integrity is really tested when you fall into sin or when difficulties and hardships come into your life. True integrity doesn't take the easy way out or blame God for not making life better. (See Job 1:20-2:10.)

Is your integrity being tested today? What can you do to maintain it? Where do you need God's help or a little more personal transparency before Him? What can you take from David's example to help you stand firm in your integrity?

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 4, 2008
Topic: God


Fear of God

When we think of fear, it's usually that mind-numbing, spine-tingling, hair-raising type of fear that most of us would just as soon avoid.

But that's not the type of fear the Bible means when we are instructed to "Fear God." Scripture uses the word "fear" in the sense of "reverence" or "awe." And rather than making us a candidate for a heart attack, this type of fear is actually something that's beneficial in our lives. Let's look at what happens when we "fear God."

What Does God Say?

The following verses all speak of fearing God. Read each one and indicate the benefit that comes to a person who cultivates this sense of reverence or awe for God.

Ecclesiastes 8:12

Psalm 111:10

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 10:27

Proverbs 22:4

My Thoughts

In his fictional novel, The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame portrays two animals in the commanding presence of The Piper. Mr. Graham imagines the following conversation:

"‘Rat,' the mole found breath to whisper, shaking, 'Are you afraid?'

"'Afraid?' murmured the rat, his eyes shining with unutterable love. 'Afraid, of Him? Oh, never, never. And yet, and yet, O Mole, I am afraid.'

"And, crouching to the earth, they bowed their heads."

Although fictional, this conversation accurately reflects what the Bible means when it talks about the "fear of the Lord." It is an overwhelming sense of awesomeness that leaves us no other option but to fall down and worship our awe-inspiring God.

The person who develops this kind of fear toward God--a reverence and respect for who God is and what He has done--will benefit in many ways.

My Part

In Exodus 34:10, God says to Israel: "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you."

Increase your "fear of the Lord" by taking time to consider the awesome things God has done for you. Consider the awesomeness of God and bow your head in worship.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 7, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Bible Characters


Handle with Care

If "Good guys finish last," why should you make the effort to be the good guy? If "No good deed goes unpunished," wouldn't it be easier just give up doing the good and right thing?

If you've ever thought that, you have an idea of how easily integrity can be destroyed. Even if you’ve lived your entire life doing the right things, it takes only that one compromising moment to destroy your reputation.

What Does God Say?

Job was a man of integrity; he was upright, blameless and transparent before God. It's right there in Job 1:1, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (ESV).

Satan challenged God saying that Job's integrity was based on the fact that God had made life so good for him (Job 1:8-12). God then allowed Satan to put Job to the test. Job didn't know about this challenge, but how did he respond?

First, in Job 1:20-22, we see that "Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (ESV).

Then when his physical health was threatened and his wife told him to "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9), Job refused to compromise. "But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:10, ESV).

Turning on God, compromising faith, letting go of honesty and uprightness just because it's too hard, all that is a sure way to destroy this fragile thing called integrity--and so is greed, anger, dishonesty and incomplete obedience. Whenever you do less than the good, right and honest thing according to God's standards--your integrity is compromised.

My Thoughts

So, when it's tough to be "the good guy," what will help you hold on to your integrity?

Know that God takes integrity very seriously. Read Psalm 7:8-9.

    * How do you think you'd stand up to God's integrity test today?

Be prepared for opposition to your integrity. Read Proverbs 29:10.

    * How have you seen people oppose integrity in your life or in those around you?
    * How do you respond to that opposition?

Remember that integrity is worth the effort. Read Psalm 41:12; Proverbs 10:9; 11:3 and 13:6.

    * How does integrity protect you and guide you?

My Part

What about your life today? Would you say that you have integrity? Do you think God sees it that way? Where have you been tempted to compromise integrity: in your business, your time or your choices about money or service? What about what you say and when?

These are all areas where it would be easy to do the one little thing that undermines integrity. Jot them down; then bring your list before God and ask for His powerful help in making--and keeping--you a person of integrity.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 8, 2008
Topic: Speech/Words


Keys to Integrity

We've been talking about integrity in these studies the last several days. And the more I think about it, the more I think the little word grit in the middle of integrity is so appropriate. Sometimes you just have to accept and deal, in a determined way, with a difficult situation. The expression for doing that is "grit your teeth." And when you're dealing with troubling circumstances, it's really important to demonstrate integrity with what you say and do.

What Does God Say?

Job is a great example. After all had been stripped away from him--his wealth, his children and his health--Job's wife told him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die" (Job 2:9, ESV). Hardly anyone would have blamed Job if he had done just that.

But, instead, Job replied, "'Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:10, ESV). Now that's integrity. That's grit in action. Though mystified as to why God would allow all this calamity to befall him, Job “grits his teeth” and resolves not to curse God.

Many of you may be familiar with the New Testament text on the subject of controlling the words that come out of your mouth. In James 3 we find, "For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body" (3:2, ESV).

James goes on to talk about how the tongue in our mouths is like the bit in a horse's mouth or the rudder on a ship. Our tongues, unguarded, can literally determine the course of our lives--or more seriously, the course of someone else's life.

We'll look more at the importance of controlling our tongues in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read James 3:1-12, think about the following questions:

1. James opens this chapter with an admonition to teachers. Why is this so important in light of what follows?

2. James likens the tongue to a spark that will set a forest ablaze; how have you seen the truth of this statement?

My Part

As I wrote this study, I remembered a line from a song I learned when I was a child in Sunday school.

Oh be careful little tongue what you say

But what really caught me was the final part of that verse.

For the Father up above is looking down in love

What a simple yet profound statement. We are to guard our tongues because God is always watching us. But He's not looking down His nose at us, waiting for us to slip up. He's looking down in love, ready to help and guide us, understanding that we sometimes mess up. As you think about the words you say and the potential impact they have on others, say a prayer to God and ask Him to guide you in His love and give you words He would have you say.

________________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 9, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


A Priority Checkup

On one of the walls in the Back to the Bible Headquarters building is an eye-catching display called, "Why I DON'T Read the Bible." It includes actual responses from real people who have given their explanations for neglecting the Word. Among the hundreds of answers listed are these: Golf...Television...Family Issues...Appointments...Friends... Shopping... Studies... Stuff...Exercise...Projects...Boy Friend.

On the opposite wall is a contrasting display called, "Why I DO Read the Bible," where you will see statements like: For Life...Gain Wisdom...Find Purpose...God's Truth Revealed...God's Word...Hope... Makes Life Worth Living...Salvation.

On which wall do you think your priorities would be posted?

The Word of God has some guidance about what things should be foremost in the life of a believer.

What Does God Say?

In the Old Testament Book of Job, you can gain some insight about the order of Job's priorities in his life. Look at Job 1:1-3 in the English Standard Version:

Job 1:1-3 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East."

It's apparent that Job had some things he considered important. It also appears that Job's top priority in life was a right relationship to God; his second was his family and his third, material things. Job was a man who knew where his heart belonged.

In several places the Bible stresses the importance of having the right priorities in life.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus speaks about anxiety and priorities. What does He say must have top priority in your life (v. 33)? How can wrong priorities contribute to anxiety and worry? What does Jesus call people who live a worried life (v. 30)?

In Revelation 2:4-5, what had happened to the first priority of the members of the church in the city of Ephesus (v. 4)? What three things did Jesus tell them they must do in order to recover proper priorities (v. 5)?

My Thoughts

Matthew 8:19-22(ESV) says, "And a scribe came up and said to Him [Jesus], 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' Another of the disciples said to him, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'"

In essence, Jesus was indicating that following Him is not easy. Discipleship costs, but that doesn't change the necessity of making faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ the priority in your life. The man in Matthew 8:21 said he wanted to follow, but the timing was wrong (he was saying his priority was to stay home as long as his father was around). Jesus pointed out to him that the time to set right priorities is now.

My Part

What weaknesses do you detect in your life's priorities? Are there any priorities you have out of order because you feel the "time is not right"?

Ask the Lord to show you what changes you ought to make in your priorities. Write them down and think about how you will seek to achieve those changes.

"When asked why he had been so successful, Tom Landry responded to a crowd of more than two thousand students at Baylor University, 'In 1958, I did something everyone who has been successful must do, I determined my priorities for my life--God, family and then football'" (Cited in Dallas Morning News, March 2, 1978 ).

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 10, 2008
Topic: Holiness


Source of Blessing

Growing up, my family liked to watch the Academy Awards--Hollywood recognizing achievements in the movie industry. If you've ever watched, you know there's always a tension between the winners gushing their gratitude at receiving the award and the clock. More than one honoree has been cut off by "the music." Yet when you've just been recognized for your accomplishments, you obviously want to acknowledge those who helped you get there. Let's take a moment today and look at Job who, in the good times, recognized God's blessings. But what about the bad times?

What Does God Say?

In chapter 29 we see Job remembering all that he had been. Take a moment to read all the way through to verse 25, and you'll see that Job had been a very blessed man. Not only had he been wealthy, but he had the respect of those around him. People sought him out for advice and went away encouraged.

But Job knew exactly where all his blessings originated.

"Oh, that I were as in the months of old,
as in the days when God watched over me,
when his lamp shone upon my head,
and by his light I walked through darkness,
as I was in my prime,
when the friendship of God was upon my tent,
when the Almighty was yet with me" (Job 29:2-5, ESV).

When Job was at his most blest, he knew exactly where those blessings came from. Not only the words of his mouth but his actions (vv. 12-17) confirmed that God was Lord in his life.

However, it's easy to thank God when things are going right. But when he was literally lying in the dust, Job didn't forget God either. And even though Job was confused about why God would allow such calamities in his life, it's clear that Job never wavered in his conviction that living a life for the Lord was the right way to live.

My Thoughts

As you read Job 29:1-25, think about the following:

1. In your own words, describe the kind of man Job was as revealed in these verses.

2. How do his actions tell you that Job wasn't just paying lip-service to God while things were going good?

My Part

Pray today that you could have the confidence of Job, that you could be absolutely convinced that living by God's principles is the right way to live, that even though God will sometimes allow us to see difficult times, He still remains the only source of blessing.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 11, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational, Bible Characters


Bless with What You Have

If you "had it all," (wealth, power, fame) what would you do with it? Maybe you've imagined what you'd do if you came into big money and could have whatever you wanted. For a guy named Job, that was close to reality; he "had it all."

Job was wealthy; his business was booming; his family was large and doing well; he was "the richest man in the world." But Job was not only wealthy, he was wise enough to know that everything he had came from God's blessing hand. And in return, he blessed others.

What Does God Say?

In Job 29, he talks about what he did to bless others. For example,

"I delivered the poor who cried for help,
and the fatherless who had none to help him" (29:12, ESV).

Or

"The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me,
and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy" (29:13, ESV).

And

"I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy,
and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know" (29:15-26, ESV).

It didn't matter what the need, Job was eager to meet it and to bless people because he was grateful for God's blessing. He knew that everything comes from God and belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1 says,

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein" (ESV).

Blessing others with the blessings we’ve received is a good way to show them how generous God is.

My Thoughts

Take a look at more on blessing others. Start with 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

    * Do you have to be rich or have a lot in order to bless others?
    * What did the Macedonians do first (8:5)?

Read Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 14:21 and 19:17.

    * What are the benefits of giving or blessing others?
    * What can you expect if you don't?

Read Matthew 25:34-46.

    * Who are you really doing all this for?
    * What can you expect when you bless others? What happens if you don't?

My Part

If you think you don't have the wealth to bless others, think again. Yes, you may have less than some people have, but you probably have more than many others. And you can bless people with more than money.

Take inventory of what God has given you, including things like skills, time, energy, service, empathy, resources, etc. For each of those, jot down at least one way you can bless someone else; get specific about who and when. Then go ahead and do it.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 14, 2008
Topic: Christian Living/Situational


Strength for the Storms

On April 10, 1963, the nuclear attack submarine Thresher was performing test dives to determine the optimum depth at which it could operate. At 9:18 a.m. a malfunction occurred which caused the submarine to sink to a level of 8,400 feet. At this depth the hull could not withstand the pressure of the water around it. Within minutes, the submarine imploded and all 129 men aboard perished.

In a similar fashion, the trials and tribulations of life can bring tremendous pressure upon a person. Without a corresponding pressure on the inside, a person can literally implode.

But God has given the believer "Someone" on the inside who can enable him or her to withstand the pressures of life--no matter how great they become.

What Does God Say?

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, NKJV).

    * Paul compares us to what kind of a vessel? Why is this important?
    * Describe the experiences that Paul and his friends were going through.
    * Why was God permitting this?

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:14-16, NKJV).

    * What secret does Paul reveal that can keep us from caving in under the pressures of life?

My Thoughts

The Holy Spirit works in many ways in the life of the believer. He imparts spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4), produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), assists in our prayer lives (Romans 8:26) and imparts understanding (John 14:26). Equally important, however, He strengthens believers "in the inner man" so they are able to withstand the pressure of the trials pressing upon them (Ephesians 3:16). No wonder Paul admonishes believers to be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18 ).

My Part

In the verse above, Paul compares being filled with the Spirit to being under the influence of wine. While being baptized by the Spirit occurs once at the point of our salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13), being filled by the Spirit is a continuous decision to be obedient to God's will.

Today, ask the Lord to help you turn the control of your life over to His Spirit. With the Holy Spirit filling you, the pressures of life won't be.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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[nChrist]

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 15, 2008
Topic: Holiness


A Godly Person

Every state has a slogan. In Nebraska, where I’m from, ours was until recently: " Nebraska, The Good Life." It's certainly an appealing slogan because we all want good lives. But when I read my Bible, I find there's something even better than a good life--it's a godly life.

What Does God Say?

Although many passages of Scripture deal with the topic of a godly life, let's look at Psalm 4. Verse 3 says, "But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself" (ESV).

Here's one reason to live a godly life:

When we seek to follow God's commands and live in obedience to Him, He sets us apart for Himself. We receive all the benefits of living in close relationship to God: His presence in our lives, His peace and, on top of all that, eternal life.

Here's another reason:

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound" (Psalm 4:7, ESV). The source of joy and contentment for the godly person is God Himself; a treasure that will never diminish and can never be taken away.

And a third reason:

It pleases God when I choose to live a godly life. Leviticus 11:44 says, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy" (ESV). The word "holy" means "set apart" as Psalm 4 described godly people. God wants us to be a people who are "set apart" from the world and focused on Him, eager to do His will.

There are more benefits to living the godly life to be found in Psalm 4, and we'll look at those in the next sections.

My Thoughts

As you read Psalm 4:1-8 think about the following questions:

1. How is God described in this Psalm?

2. What characteristics of God in Psalm 4 make you want to please Him?

3. What actions characterize the godly life?

4. How does God respond to the godly person?

My Part

Woodrow Kroll ends every Back to the Bible broadcast with the familiar words, "Have a good and godly day. For of what lasting value is a good day if it is not also a godly day."

1. What would a godly day look like for you?

2. What changes would you have to make to live a godly day?

3. Have you experienced the benefits of the godly life described in Psalm 4?

Find someone to encourage with this message.

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Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll

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